Tank cleaning system with mounted self-oscillating nozzle assembly

Abstract

Systems and methods deliver fluid using a nozzle assembly that rotates through a selectable oscillation pattern for cleaning tanks. The nozzle assembly rotates through the oscillation pattern automatically without requiring external manipulation of fluid flow through control lines. Installers use a quick mount and clamp assembly to secure the nozzle assembly inside of the tank. A smart manifold provides remote control of several of the nozzle assembly once installed in the tank.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning a tank, comprising:
 a fluid for washing the tank;   a manifold with a first actuatable valve and a second actuatable valve in communication with the fluid;   a first nozzle assembly coupled by a first hose to the first actuatable valve and a second nozzle assembly coupled by a second hose to the second actuatable valve, wherein the nozzle assemblies each have a nozzle head that sprays the fluid from the hoses into the tank and rotates through an oscillation pattern; and   a computer in communication with the manifold to send control signals for operating the valves.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzle assemblies rotates through the oscillation pattern using some of the fluid from the hoses diverted from the nozzle head. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzle assemblies rotates through the oscillation pattern using a hydraulic control line and a switching control line that supplies gas to operate a switch valve assembly selectively directing flow from the hydraulic control line. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second quick mounts coupled respectively to the first and second nozzle assemblies, wherein each of the quick mounts has a receiver tube for mating with a stub mount on a clamp assembly attached to a support member fixed in the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second magnetic securing mechanisms to respectively secure the first and second nozzle assemblies in the tank. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second clamp assemblies to respectively secure the first and second nozzle assemblies to a support member fixed in the tank, wherein each of the clamp assemblies are openable to position around the support member and closable with a hand crank clasp for tightening the clamp assembly onto the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzle assemblies include:
 a toggle assembly with a slider moveable between first and second positions for switching flow of the fluid between two ports of a drive assembly;   an impeller in the drive assembly operatively connected to rotate the nozzle head clockwise and counterclockwise based on which of the two ports receive the fluid from the toggle assembly; and   toggle switch actuators coupled to the nozzle head to rotate with the nozzle head and contact the slider of the toggle assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera disposed in the tank and in connection with the computer to send images of inside the tank displayed on the computer. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an angular extent of the oscillation pattern is selectable for each of the nozzle assemblies by positioning of toggle switch actuators around a circumference of the nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzle assemblies further comprise an actuator to control inclination of the nozzle head perpendicular to the oscillation pattern. 
     
     
         11 . A method of cleaning a tank, comprising:
 providing a fluid for washing the tank;   supplying the fluid to a manifold with a first actuatable valve and a second actuatable valve;   coupling a first hose between a first nozzle assembly and the first actuatable valve and a second hose between a second nozzle assembly and the second actuatable valve, wherein the nozzle assemblies each have a nozzle head that sprays the fluid into the tank and rotates through an oscillation pattern; and   sending control signals to operate the valves with a computer in communication with the manifold.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tank is a drilling mud vessel on a boat. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising installing the first nozzle assembly to a support member fixed in the tank using a quick mount that is coupled to the first nozzle assembly, wherein the installing slides a receiver tube of the quick mount onto a stub mount of a clamp assembly attached to the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising installing the first and second nozzle assemblies in the tank respectively using first and second magnetic securing mechanisms secured to the tank via magnetic forces. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising placing a camera in the tank and in connection with the computer to send images of inside the tank displayed on the computer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the nozzle assemblies further comprise an actuator to control inclination of the nozzle head about a first rotational axis perpendicular to a second rotational axis that the nozzle head rotates through in the oscillation pattern. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for cleaning a tank, comprising:
 a nozzle head mounted in the tank and in communication with fluid from a hose to spray the fluid out of a nozzle into the tank, wherein the nozzle head rotates through an oscillation pattern using a portion of the fluid diverted before flowing out of the nozzle;   a toggle assembly with a slider moveable between first and second positions for switching flow of the portion of the fluid between two ports of a drive assembly;   an impeller in the drive assembly operatively connected to rotate the nozzle head clockwise and counterclockwise based on which of the two ports receive the portion of the fluid from the toggle assembly; and   toggle switch actuators coupled to the nozzle head to rotate with the nozzle head and contact the slider of the toggle assembly resulting in rotational direction of the nozzle head being switched.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a quick mount coupled to the nozzle head, wherein the quick mount has a receiver tube for slidable mating with a stub mount on a clamp assembly attached to a support member fixed in the tank. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein an angular extent of the oscillation pattern is selectable for the nozzle head by positioning of the toggle switch actuators. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle head has an actuator to control inclination of the nozzle head perpendicular to the oscillation pattern.